Ipsy March 2015: Floral Fantasy

A few days ago, I received my 1st Ipsy bag in years. I remember when Ipsy first came out and young me wanted to try it out. However, since I was inexperienced with makeup and I wasn't up for the challenge. So I just cancelled the subscription. 

Ipsy is created by the fabulous YouTuber, Michelle Phan. Its just $10/month. Michelle and a group of stylists pick out items great for you. There is a style quiz you may take before signing up.

The theme this month is Floral Fantasy, hence why the bag is all swagged out in colorful colors and flowers. Its lovely. I would use this to hold something I own, I'm sure I'll find a use for it. This may be one of the reasons why I like reading reviews & seeing people get their Ipsy bags, just to see what design is up. 

The only con that I'd say, unlike Birchbox, there is no detailed card about the product. You'll have to go onto the website or Google the product. 

(sorry about the flash)

I LOVE NYX LIPSTICKS! 

I usually use their matte lipsticks or their matte lip creams but I'm open to try others. I've seen the butter lipsticks but never bothered to try them. When I first opened my bag, I saw that the NYX lipstick was not sealed and I found that strange but it seems no one's was sealed. Seeing other people's bags, I noticed different people received different colors. Even though I would of liked the purple or pink color that some people may have received. I'm glad I received this color though, its kind of like a nude. It's called Pops Explosif(BLS17).  I been wearing it for the past 2 days. LOVE IT! 

This lipstick sells for $5.99

A glow oil treatment for shiny, hydrated hair. I haven't used it yet but I'll probably give to mom so she can use it. She's more prone to wash her hair before me. It can be used on wet or dry hair. I never heard of this brand either so I am intrigued but I'm hesitant that it'll do anything. It won't hurt to try.

A regular size will cost you $29.95. 

This multipurpose Ivory Lace Highlighter pencil shall be interesting. I never tried anything like this before. It can be used to highlight a beautiful smile, brighten or visibly lift your eyes and other uses. 

This neutral pencil will cost you just $18.

I don't use concealer but I'll find another use for this brush.

This mineral duo is something I'm not familiar with but I'm willing to try it. 

This month's bag left me with a product I love and products that I'm willing to try. So win win, in the end. So far, I will not be cancelling this month. 

What will April bring?

♥ Update ♥

Fear no more! Karina is here! 

The weekend has finally arrived after a long week. Today's the first day of spring, yet here we are experiencing a winter storm. So far it has been a weak one so I'm hoping it doesn't get worse. There's a lot of update to go around for a couple of weekends but I'll try to take care of them before March ends. 

This weekend, I've decided would be the start of the catch up. I have a March Birchbox and Ipsy review for you. A 'NOTM' post and a catch up of my 30 day coloring challenge. I also need to catch up on my sleep, these bags under my eyes are bad. Of course, I have the better late than never post about my planner. 

What have I been doing? I've been working, as well as the going back to the gym. I've been trying to use my planner more, taxes and prepping up for school in the fall. I'm excited for going back for my bachelor's. If you've seen my instagram, you can see the Craft Spring Cleaning Sale that I've been having. I've been taking care of myself and loving myself. I've been avoiding the negativity. I've been happy. 

Jo-Ann's Craft Haul

Last weekend, my friend Tee told me that Jo-Ann's fabric & craft store had a sale 50% off their scrapbooking section & $1.99 shipping. The $1.99 shipping actually ends today! Anyways, I just knew I had to check it out. After browsing for awhile, I ended up with a couple things in my cart. After the process of elimination, I ended up purchasing a couple of items. 

Hello, my name is Karina and I am a sucker for craft stores. 

Especially if they're having a sale. 

After debating all Sunday afternoon and night, I finally purchased my items on my lunch break, on Monday, the 2nd. It's now Saturday, the 7th. Quickest shipping ever, if you ask me. I was surprised when I saw the package on the porch today. But enough of me speaking, I'm sure you just want to see what I purchased. Keep in mind, all of the items I purchased were part of the 50% scrapbooking sale. 

I took advantaged of the sale and grabbed 2 packets of Distressed Watercolor Cardstock for $2.99 each. They're heavyweight paper for wet and watercolor techniques. I needed watercolor paper so I decided to try it on these small pieces of cardstock so I won't mess up on a bigger slab of paper. You can use it with distress markers, inks, paints and stains. Each package contains 20 papers of 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

Meet Hope, Sophie, Joy and Karlie. (not in order in the picture) Aren't they beautiful? I can't wait to start using them. Has anyone played with these stamps? I can't wait to buy distress markers to stamp these on some watercolor paper and make some beauties. By the way, the stamps are 4x6 inches.

Lastly, I purchased this stamp press, I thought it would make stamping easier for me. It's bigger than I thought but I'm not complaining. All you have to do arrange the stamps, ink and press down, which is a time saver. The layout space is 6X8 inches. 

Did you take advantage of the sale? What did you purchase? 

30 Day Coloring Challenge

I decided to joining the 30 day Coloring challenge. I've always wanted to do monthly challenges but could never finish them. Thinking about it, none of them seemed to interest me enough to finish it but I vow to finish this one. 

I came across Kathy's instagram earlier today and I thought it'd be perfect to do. Not only will it boost up my creativity, I can hopefully know how to use my watercolors better and other forms for coloring. 

I will be sharing via Instagram and my tumblr. As for my sharing on my blog, I will be rounding up the week's daily pieces and sharing on Sunday evening. 

If you were to participate via Instagram, you have to use the hashtag, #thedailymarker30day so she can find you. For sharing via blog, you could use an InkLink tool. She will share that tool on her Day One post. No hashtag needed for sharing via blog.

The goal as stated on her blog, to color something everyday no matter what is happening. She wants to show us that to create something pretty, we don't need to go the expensive route. 

Are you ready to join this colorful journey? 

See you on Sunday, the 8th. 

Birchbox: February 2015

Birchbox is a beauty subscription box that only costs $10/month. 

I signed up for Birchbox back in 2011, back when I first heard of subscription boxes. I loved getting beauty samples because it was introducing me to brands that I wouldn't normally look at. I eventually opted out of the subscription because I was not wearing makeup, nor did I know how to properly apply it. I still don't really know how to apply eyeshadow. I only use lipstick, eyeliner, and mascara. As for foundation, I'm looking for the right one.

I introduce to you, the Birchbox of February 2015. 

Here is the detailed card on everything that can be found in the box. 

They also included 2 cards with coupons. 

One for Rent The Runway, which will give me $30 off a $75 purchase. Sounds interesting, I'll check it out. If I find I'm not interested, I'll mail it to a pen pal.

The other was for benefit cosmetics but it has expired. 

The contents are...

I'll start off with my favorite first and end with what I could care less about. 

My favorite item is this hand cream from the brand Tocca. I love it and may have to purchase the full size after I run out. Full size is about $10-$20, which is not that bad of a price. Its a grapefruit and cucumber lotion and the absorption is crazy good. 

Second favorite is the Beauty Protector 'Protect & Detangle'. It smells great, the full size price is $21.95. The scent is addictive, they did warn me but I didn't listen.  It's supposed to lock in color, protect from heat damage and adds silkiness. May have to purchase this as well and the packaging is the cutest.

BeeKind Shampoo, I haven't tried it yet. The full size will put a $16 dent in your pocket. Its made with honey extract, which makes this cleanser leave your hair soft and shiny. I'm intrigued to try it.

This Cynthia Rowley lip stain-Poppy. It should be down my alley but its not a color I like. I've been into matte lip colors lately. So I'll just give this to my mom because its more like her. 

Cotz Face Natural Skin Tone SPF 40, an oil-free mineral sunscreen. 

I'll be willing to try it but not as happy. I though this was a fragrance sample because of the packaging.

I'm curious as what March holds for me, I'm also getting Ipsy for March too. So I will be comparing in a video for it to be shorter than a blog post. 

Check out Birchbox here.